Cycle Gear: Best of 2013

“Listing down the top cycle gear for 2013. What made the list? Read on to find out!”

From clothes to accessories, bag the best cycling gear and mountain biking clothing with our pick of the essential kit to ramp up your biking action

Fancy avoiding the sticky hell hole that is public transport? If you are considering the two-wheeler route into work now that the sun is out and haven’t been riding around since you had stabilizers, here’s a selection of kit to help you start shredding the roads like a pro.

So, in the famous words of Norman Tebbit, “get on your bike”. But do it with pride, and in style…

Cycle Gear

1. Eastpak Velow Ekspres

A stylish, rugged, 2.4 litre rucksack, the Ekpress boasts a padded laptop section that’s accessible from both inside and out, a light clip, an integrated travel pass holder, reflective detailing and quite possibly the worst-spelled, product name of all time.

Price: £80 | Eastpak

2. Garmin Edge 810

The GPS computer now has added connectivity with Bluetooth support and a new Garmin Connect Mobile app for Android and iOS which let’s you share your journey on Facebook and Twitter plus look for courses and routes that can be synced to your mounted device. There’s also new weather notifications to let you know if you are about to ride into a rainstorm.

Price: £379.99 | Garmin

3. Abus U-Mini 401 Yellow

Don’t be deceived by its summery look, this lightweight U-lock made from hardened steel which is hugely resistant to bolt cropping will help keep your bike from going walkies and there’s four keys if the first three go missing as well.

Price: £62.99 | Wiggle

4. Giro Trans

Whether you race, cycle distance events, or just like to intimidate Brompton riders at the lights, you’ll find it hard to fault these. The Easton EC70 carbon sole is ultra-stiff and light, while the shape, construction and choice of three, switchable arch supports mean you may forget you’re wearing any shoes at all.

Price: £150 | Giro

5. Kask Vertigo Team Sky

While not the lightest, this high-end, ultra-secure helmet is of the highest quality and an exact replica of what all-conquering Team Sky’s pros use to keep their brains internal.

Price: £165 | Kask

6. The North Face White SIGG Bottle

Keeping your isotonic tipple or plain ol’ water chilled to artic-like temperatures, the aluminium bottle is lightweight and durable to take pedalling and long-lasting so you won’t need to replace it for some time.

Price: £16 | North Face

7. Polaris Quantum

Available in two screaming, flouro hues – and black, peculiarly – this might just be the loudest hi-vis jacket on the planet, with reflective detailing for super-ultra-safety. It’s fully waterproof, natch, with a mesh lining to keep you cool as you pick up the revs.

Price: £90 | Polaris

8. Fenwick’s FS foaming degreaser

Not invested in a bike with a carbon chain? Then spray on this stuff, leave for a bit and rinse off. Scrubbing not required. It also work on the cassette and chain rings and shouldn’t do any damage to that lovely paintwork.

Price: £8 | Link: Fenwicks

9. Hutchinson Fast’Air

Fix a puncture without taking off the wheel. Just attach this magic can to the valve, spray it in liberally and it fills the hole with sealant while reinflating it.

Price: £7.50 | Link: Hutchinsontires

10. Rudy Project Rydon Impact X

Protecting your eyes from lowflying bugs, These cycling specs are made from carbonium frame and alumnium alloy that keep them light and unobtrusivethese with photochromatic lenses that darken when the sun shines, protecting you from UV foulness.

Price: £150 | Link: Rudyprojectuk

11. Knog Frog Strobe Front and Rear Light Set

Made to battle the elements, this silicone built set shoots a combined 50 lumens of brightness and will serve up to 80 hours of illumination from four coin cell batteries which are included. You can also take your pick from a series of modes including strobe and disco strobe if you want to cycle back into the 70s.